Thill-coupling



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Patented june 8" UNrTnn STATES FATNNT Ormea.

EUGENE BEEBE, JOHN M. CONNOR, AND EUGENE BEEBE, JR., OF MON'D' GOMERY, ALABAMA.

THlLL-GOUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 228,506, dated June 8, 1880.

Application filed April S, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that we, EUGENE BEEBE, J OnN M. CONNOR, and EUGENE BEEBE, Jr., of Montgomery, Alabama, have invented a new and useful Shaft and Pole Coupling, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in thill couplings; and the objects of our improvements are, first, to provide a perfect antirattling connection 5 second, to provide a device that, in case the shaft or pole of a vehicle or the harness should break, the shaft or pole Awill be held in a horizontal position, and not by falling strike or become entangled with the legs of the draft-animal.

We attain these objects by means of the devices hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of our improved thill coupled to an axle-tree. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the same. Fig. 3 is a view of a modification of the shaft-bow.

Like letters refer to similar parts on each ligure.

The usual way of coupling thills is to secure them by connections to the front of the axle. Our invention relates specially to a rear couplin A represents the clip or band, which passes round the axle, and has two extending ears, C, slotted so as to receive the bolt c. rEhese ears C extend from each side at the back of the clip A, the intervening space serving as a clamp to hold the elastic block D.

A is the base-bar of the clip A, held up against the under part of the axle in the usual manner by nuts screwed onto the forks of the clip A.

E is the thill-iron, which grasps the shaft or pole F in front. The tliill-iron E, after following` the shape of the shaft or pole at the upper part a required distance, is bent at the top upward, and is then bent until it reaches the point X, where it has an inward-projecting shoulder, 'through which an eye is formed. From thence it is again curved and bent downward until it reaches the lower bar, which follows the shape of the under part of the pole or shaft, and the two forward parts of the thilliron are finally connected with the pole or shaft the block.

(No model.)

by boltsjj', or in any suitable manner. Thus a continuous bow or guard, E, is formed by bending over the thill-iron, constructed as described, rearwardly.

Between the ears O C we place an elastic block, D, the lower part of which rests on the base-bar A', and the upper part projecting above the clamping-ears C.

We do not claim, broadly, an elastic block as an anti-rattler, as this has been used before, but not shaped, located, held in position, or operated as in our device.

The anti-rattling block in the devices generally in use is always clamped in the front part of the clip, in which case it is more liable to wear away than if placed at the back of the clip-bow, as provided in our device.

rEhe elastic block is usually made of rubber, and, infact, this is the only material known to be suitable, as fully described in the reissued Letters Patent No. 2,358, dated September 1S, 1866, granted to William S. Chapman.

In Chapmans device, and all others similarly adjusted, the oscillation of the shaft or pole has also the effect to knead the rubber, change its condition, and impair its normal elasticity. It becomes stiffened and hardened by the continual movements of the bearings of the shaft or pole imp inging against the Ordinary elastic block. Moreover, the grit and dust grind down or are forced into the mass of We obviate these serious objections by the peculiar location, adjustment, and operation Of our anti-rattling block D. In the iirst place the base-bar A can be lengthcned so as to be a resting-place for the whole lower part of the block D. This base-bar A', whether of the full length of the width of the lower part of the block D or not, offers aplane of resistance when the block is pressed down upon it, and causes it to spring upward. An elastic cushion is thus provided which forms an under spring bearing for the whole coupling de vice. The same is the case with that part of the block D that projects upwardly above the jaws of the clamping-ears G, this part of the block impinging against the inner side of the bow E.

IOO

Y/Ve show only a quadrangular block, but do not desire to be understood as eonining ourselves to this shape, as it is obvious that great advantages can be had by making it conform exteriorly to the coniignration of the parts against which it is brought in contactas, for instance, instead of being straight at the top, as shown in the drawings, it may be nished to follow the form of the inner surface of the bow E.

To morefully explain our invention in this respect, so that it may be clearly understood, one ofthe material features of this part ofour devi ce is, thatour elastic block shall be subjected only to pressure, and not to friction, and that this pressure shall be against the block rearwardly. The clip A having been secured to the axle by nuts b b, and the block D having been placed in position between the ears G, the bow E is passed over the end of the axle, the slotted projection being brought between the eyes oi' the ears C, and the two parts are then conneeted together by means oi" the bolt c, thus forming a hinged joint.

YV e prefer to make the bow E oione continuous piece; but 'or solne purposes it may have a hinged section, as shown in Fig. 3, as a modiilication.

It is manifest that a pole or shaft con neeted as described cannot be projected either upward or downward but a given distance, as the hinge will only operate about a half-turn, the upper or the lower end of the bow E being stopped by coming in contact with the clip B.

Itis apparent that certain immaterial changes and mechanical modifications of this invention may be made without departing from its scope.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim isl. A thill for vehicles, coupled, by means substantially as described, to the rear of the axle.

2. A thill having a rearwardly-projecting bow, E', supplied with locking-eyes, substantially as described.

3. Ina thillcoupling, the bow E, surrounding the axle, in combination with the clip A, having extending ears C, which clamp the elastic block D when the whole device is coupled to the rear of the axle, substantially as described.

EUGENE BEEBE. JOHN M. CONNOR. E UGENE 1; EE B E, JR.

i/Vitnesses W. D. BUNKLEY, E. H. METCALF. 

